Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

NO…you should stop immediately and put oil in. That’s why I ALWAYS have at least a full quart of oil in the trunk of my cars

I think, and I will repeat, "I think" the oil light in the Mercedes does allow you a few miles to find some oil. The wording on my warning light was something like "Add oil as soon as possible". I think that a large percentage of the population think the oil light is just a bit of a warning, and you have time to get to a gas station or to Walmart. But, I think on the new cars they made them so they can go a little ways before your engine seizes up.

I think it is really smart to carry some extra oil in the car....it's like insurance, chances of needing it are small, but, if you do need it there's nothing else you can use....and who wants to be stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

But, I am not sure a dipstick is the very best invention for checking oil. A lot of people aren't going to mess around with it. I can start the car at a motel and touch a few buttons and get a very accurate idea of how much oil is in the engine, and I don't have to mess around in a hurricane or snow storm, or in the dark, trying to check a dipstick. To each his own there.

Didn't the first volkswagens have a dipstick for checking your gas level. They didn't have gas gauges. I know there was an auxilary tank that you switched on when you ran out, but I think you could check it with a dipstick too.

driver100

They are different sizes front and rear - so no rotations again.

I don't think you rotate tires on AWD cars too....at least a friend told me that.
I said it before and no one commented, but I gave up on rotating tires a long time ago. After rotating they would ware funny and i would have to buy 4 new ones. I'd rather take my chances, let the 2 fronts wear out, buy new ones, and then replace the backs when they go. I only have to buy two at a time and they seem to last longer for me.

I was telling that to a friend I only see a few times a year and he said he does the same for the same reason....so we both came to the same conclusion independently.

BTW Mike....you seem to be happier with the Merc already, I can tell from your posts....it actually comes through. I think you always had doubts about the Lexus from the beginning.

abacomike

I think you always had doubts about the Lexus from the beginning...

I was mesmerized by the technology, *driver, and the softer ride, at least on the test drives of the Lexus. Remember, I had owned Mercedes Benz E350's one after the other - and I think I got bored with them. All it took was one fling away from the Mercedes Benz and I realized quite quickly that I had left a truly outstanding vehicle for a younger, tantalizing vehicle - like the "grass looked greener" idiomatic expression. But not having that great sound system and that Mercedes Benz Star on the hood reminded me how much I had actually given up for the technology - which actually frustrated me. The Mercedes lets you "feel" the road while the Lexus did not give you that "control" feeling or sense.

Sure, I'd get a voice telling me there was severe weather in my area, but you only have to look at the horizon to tell you that.

The Sirius traffic in the Mercedes is much more accurate and easier to read. The Sirius weather in the Mercedes actually shows you weather fronts, high and low pressure areas, rain and wind levels. The Lexus was almost impossible to distinguish. The 2013 Lexus had applications, but now the 2013 Mercedes has the same capabilities.

Voice command on the Mercedes is more capable and more flexible. The Lexus had no response when I would say "FM RADIO". The Mercedes takes you right to FM or SAT, not Lexus.

I could go on and on, but in the most simplistic terms, Mercedes is more of a driver's car while Lexus is more of a luxury sport sedan.

fezo

Didn't the first volkswagens have a dipstick for checking your gas level.

Yeah. That worked out well, didn't it? You could also just light a match and look in the tank. That worked great, too.

[Deleted User]

I don't think you rotate tires on AWD cars too....at least a friend told me that.
I said it before and no one commented, but I gave up on rotating tires a long time ago. After rotating they would ware funny and i would have to buy 4 new ones. I'd rather take my chances, let the 2 fronts wear out, buy new ones, and then replace the backs when they go. I only have to buy two at a time and they seem to last longer for me.

Hey Driver. Happy Friday!

On an AWD vehicle the most important part of tire wear is the difference in overall diameter between the front and rear wheels (and on the same axle if you have a limited slip differential). The idea being you don't want a smaller diameter tire turning faster than the slightly larger one behind or in front of it. Doing so will engage the AWD and create stress in the system. So, the tires need to wear evenly, something like 2/16" or 3/16" max difference in wear between all four.

Which is why I never understood why Dodge put a donut spare on my Journey. I had to use it three times, once for over two hundred miles, and that wrecked havoc on the poor AWD components. Each time the dashboard would light up like a Christmas tree, the transfer case and differential howled, and the computer tried to cut engine output. I KNOW I did damage. Why, Dodge, why???

explorerx4

Tyguy, I agree with you about tire rotations with an AWD vehicle, plus maintaining the proper tire pressure is important.
I think someone should read their Audi manual.
On the other hand, those donut spares are only supposed to be put on for a few miles. Of course, circumstances can dictate otherwise.

dino001

The idea of a donut tire is you put it on and get it off a few miles away in a tire store, not keep driving on it for hundreds of miles. A few miles would not stress properly designed road AWD system to induce any damage. If anticipated to drive more than a few miles (long-distance rural driving), you should probably have bought a full size rim and tire for a spare.
BTW, you didn't have any way to disconnect it (there are sometimes switches at center differential)?

[Deleted User]

Any suggestions on where you'd put a full-size spare in a Journey? The question is actually irrelevant as the leasing company wouldn't pay for it anyway. I wasn't aware of any method to disconnect AWD and traction control.

dino001

I don't know Journey. My Subaru had a well for a full size wheel, but they only put a donut and some cars had full-size spare as option, so I assumed it was possible. On the transfer case switch, it may not be there, it was just an idea of something to check in a manual - Subaru has a switch for towing on automatic transmissions, but not sure if it is good for driving (possibly not). I never investigated that, because my Subaru was a manual transmission, which had different type of differential anyway - I just remember seeing some pictures in the manual.

abacomike

I try to take my Dad walking in an enclosed sopping mall every day which we both think has enabled him to live a reasonably long life (90 next month) in fairly good health (with the exception of his hearing and eyesight and memory). We walk at a fairly brisk rate for about 30 minutes.

This morning, we visited the Boca Town Center in Boca Raton Florida, which we frequent at least twice a week. The have a display of upscale cars in several locations within the mall including Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Bentley. When we approached the Rolls and Bentley display, they had a black Rolls Royce Ghost next to a white Bentley convertible. My mouth started to drool over that Rolls. It had a saddle interior, chrome wheels and it was truly something to behold. Then, I looked at the Monroney Sticker showing an MSRP of $292,000.00. I was flabbergasted that a car like that would sell for under $350,000.00.

On the way home on the car, we started to compute what the actual costs would be to own a car like that.

*$315,000 out the door including $18,000 in sales tax
*$12,000 a year for insurance (an estimate from my insurance agent)
*$4500 a year for gasoline (assuming 15,000 miles a year)
*$3,000 a year for upkeep including detailing, washing, etc.

But, I could save $15,000 a year on housing and real estate taxes because in order to drive one of those gorgeous vehicles, I'd have to live in it!!!

Truly, for the money, a magnificent looking automobile. Maybe I could get 2 or 3 people to go on with me like I did when I bought a Cessna 20 years ago.

imidazol97

> My mouth started to drool over that Rolls.

Abacomike, with your eclectic purchasing patterns these last few months I thought this was beginning of another car purchase story! I was relieved that you didn't actually buy, well, not yet you haven't it. Grin. :shades:

driver100

that Mercedes Benz Star on the hood reminded me how much I had actually given up for the technology

That emblem on the hood really adds something to a Mercedes. I know when we had the 1999 C Class it was a real drivers car. We went on a business trip and we rented a new Maxima, which was supposed to be the latest in technology and it was a lot more powerful than the Mercedes. I was pretty excited to give it a try.

I had the same feeling you did.....the Mercedes is like a real car, you feel part of it, you know it was engineered and made by people who love fine cars.

The Maxima was a flash in the pan, I call them robo-cars. They do everything like you think you want a car to do, but it doesn't have a real heart and soul. The Maxima was an appliance....fast and engineered to be like a jet plane, but it lacked character.

I understand why you would feel really happy being back in a Benz.

abacomike

with your eclectic purchasing patterns...

ECLECTIC? My "word" what a big word to use on this forum! No one will understand what you are trying to communicate!

You have to trust me on this - there is no way I would ever be able to afford the upkeep and the insurance, let alone the cost to buy the car. Besides, I'd be afraid to park that thing anywhere, especially here in Southeast Florida. Living in the car would be interesting, though. I can just see my neighbors observing me shaving and showering in the back seat every day. And then running to the washrooms by our pool for a quickie!

But you have to agree, that Rolls Royce Ghost is a truly beautiful automobile.

driver100

Hey Driver. Happy Friday!

TGIF to you too ty. 2 hours of tennis and 4 hours of work, family over for dinner.....I need a weekend to recover.

I didn't realize the rear tires on the 535 or A4 would be a different size from the front tires. I'll check it when I can. So, are you saying, if the tires are significantly different in size they shouldn't be changed?

I gave up on rotating tires in about 1982. I had strange wear on my 79 and 81 Cutlasses (non AWD cars) and I haven't rotated tires since then.

I guess donut tires could be a problem in the A4. The 535 has run-flats so there isn't a donut, but RFTs have their own problems. I would like to know what you do if you are on the I-75 on the way to Florida and you get a flat on Christmas day. Do you stay in a hotel until a tire place opens?

driver100

I think someone should read their Audi manual

Save me some time....what do I need to know?

[Deleted User]

I LOVE Subaru. Solid engineering and assembly quality. Definitely no transfer case switch on the Dodge Journey (far too clever for them), but your question did make me wonder if a fuse could be pulled. Now that the car is gone I don't have easy access to the fuse panel to see if they labeled it.

I like how my 2012 Impreza puts the tire inside the hatch area where it stays clean. The Journey had to be accessed from below the vehicle, which covered my work clothes in mud when I had to change the tire in the middle of the Wyoming gas fields (no cell coverage and far from town). Nice. The under-vehicle space seemed too small for a full size and usually my cargo was filled with scientific instrumentation for water quality monitoring. My all-wheel drive Dodge van has the same crappy under-vehicle access, but at least the spare is full size.

driver100

Rolls and Bentley display, they had a black Rolls Royce Ghost next to a white Bentley convertible.

Those are magnificent cars. We saw about 8 of them parked outside the main big casino in Monte Carlo. Now, that's a car!

Like imadoza, I thought you were going to buy one of those too. Thank goodness you didn't actually do it.

How beautiful is this?

abacomike

I understand why you would feel really happy...

I've read somewhere that it is very difficult for drivers who are in a BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi to drive some other manufacturer's product without regretting not having bought or leased another one.

The German engineering and build quality are very difficult for Japanese or Korean manufacturers to duplicate. But, not everyone is happy with a German auto - some prefer a softer as well as less expensive means of transportation. Most people do not consider their cars as one of the important aspects of their lives. For me, at this stage in my life, with my health issues and being the primary care-giver for an octogenarian who happens to be my Dad, my car becomes one of my brighter aspects of my environment.

abacomike

How beautiful is this?

*driver, you can't do that to me! My loins are beginning to shudder! Now cut that out!

[Deleted User]

So, are you saying, if the tires are significantly different in size they shouldn't be changed?

On a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicle, no big deal. There's not a transfer case connecting the front wheels with the rear wheels.

With an AWD vehicle, the issue becomes more important. The simple rule is to keep the tires the same. Same brand/model and same tread depth on all four wheels. Sometimes a high-performance car will have wider rear tires, and that's perfectly fine, so long as the diameter (height) of the tires is very similar (within 2/16").

I think your BMW (AWD, right???) uses run-flat 245/45 sized tires on all four wheels, so just be sure the tread depth is similar on all four. If you notice one set (front or back) wearing much faster, then consult your dealer about replacing all four to keep the tread depth the same. This only applies if it's AWD. Same for your AWD Audi. Just keep the tires the same and no worries.

Here's a helpful link:

AWD and Tires Article

oldfarmer50

"...my loins are beginning to shudder..."

Woah! This place is getting frisky! If you want to really stir your heart try this one.

http://www.rpmgo.com/images/bugatti_veyron_convertible.jpg

Fastest car in the world and reasonably priced at a couple million $. They even give you a special second key for when you wish to exceed 250 mph. It closes air intakes and repositions the spoiler so you don't go airborne.

Now THAT gets me aroused!

abacomike

Now that gets me aroused...

*oldfarmer, there are few, if any, automobiles made on our planet that can compare to that Bugatti. I am a sedan lover, what can I say, but I think I could develop a great relationship with that Bugatti.

Doesn't a German company own Bugatti now or is it a French company? I was watching a special on the Velocity channel (my favorite cable channel thanks to "Chasing Classic Cars" and "Wheeler Dealers") about a classic Bugatti that was discovered in Germany and then restored. Was it the x-CEO of Audi or Bentley or Citroen who bought the company?

driver100

With an AWD vehicle, the issue becomes more important. The simple rule is to keep the tires the same.

That was extremely valuable information tyguy and much appreciated. I put the website page into an email, sent it to myself, and put it in saved for future reference.

I doubt very many drivers would know the information about tire rotation and the importance of the tread size for AWD cars. Both cars are AWD so that information was even more important.

It seems to be that makes it even more important to have a full size spare, especially in an AWD car, so you can put it in rotation, and so if you do get a flat you will have 4 tires that match in wear and make. I am wondering if you get a flat tire in a remote area on a national holiday, what are the chances of being able to buy one tire that will go with the others? It almost means it will be likely you may have to replace all 4 tires if you get one flat, unless you order a shaved tire from Tire Rack....which is quite an amazing service by the way.

Wow, I am amazed at that information. A sincere thanks....now if I get a flat I won't have any idea how to get replace it without ruining the whole car :sick:

driver100

Most people do not consider their cars as one of the important aspects of their lives.

I guess a well engineered car is like a good audio system, or a good glass of wine, or a fine painting, or a gourmet meal to other people.

I enjoy driving and I particularly like a car that is engineered and built right, everything is in harmony and the manufacturer has a passion for getting it right. The car isn't made just to be on target with the accountants numbers, or to try to save a few dollars by compromising on parts.

Life is limited, and a car that feels right is important to me, so I want to go through life getting the maximum enjoyment from my car.

Those Bentleys sure do get it right...the interiors are amazing too!

sterlingdog

"...it's okay to cry."

Good for you! If more men would learn that, they might have less stress and heart attacks. People need emotional release at times. It doesn't mean that you're not macho; it means that you are human and caring.

Richard

sterlingdog

Two questions: What is the name of that car? If you use the second key to go beyond 250 mph, just what is the top speed?

Richard

driver100

If you use the second key to go beyond 250 mph, just what is the top speed?

I'm not buying one, the last thing I need is to carry another key around with me.

roadburner

Sorry for your loss...

roadburner

they may think their customers would be offended by not offering a dipstick....lots of people here seem to be offended.

It's simply a question of common sense; I'm fine with an electronic oil level monitor. I just want to be able to cross-check the accuracy of the level sensor. Those of us who don't consider raising the hood to be an arduous task don't agree with the maxim that states "ignorance is bliss."

roadburner

most of the maintenance (oil) minders don't actually analyze the oil. They are just algorytims based on how the car is used to "guess" at when the oil needs to be changed.

Exactly. Although a friend of mine who is a Roundel columnist says that the latest BMWs actually have sensors that test the electrical resistance of the oil to extrapolate the remaining oil life. That said, when I took my 2008 Alpina B7 press loaner to a track event the onboard maintenance system indicated that 90 minutes of track time took 800 miles off the life of the oil.

And BMW doesn't make oil of course. they just pay extra to have their name on the label. So probably it is just Castrol too!

It IS Castrol- no question. And as you point out, the brand of the oil is essentially irrelevant; what matters is the type approval- which for North American BMWs is LL-01. The "official oil" blather is all marketing. For example, Triumph switched from Mobil 1 to Castrol a couple of years ago. Why?
Follow the money...

roadburner

On a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicle, no big deal. There's not a transfer case connecting the front wheels with the rear wheels.

If your car has a mechanical limited-slip differential(as my Mazdaspeed 3 and 318ti have) yo do not want tires with a significant difference in diameter on that axle- you'll increase wear on the limited-slip clutch packs or similar.

roadburner

Two questions: What is the name of that car? If you use the second key to go beyond 250 mph, just what is the top speed?

It's a Bugatti Veyron. The top speed is @253 mph. this article goes into more detail. Top Gear saw 268 mph.

From another page:
In short, The car's everyday top speed is listed at 350 km/h (220 mph). When the car reaches 220 km/h (140 mph), hydraulics lower the car until it has a ground clearance of about 9 cm (3.5 in). At the same time, the wing and spoiler deploy. In this handling mode the wing provides 3,425 newtons (770 lbf) of downforce, holding the car to the road.

For top speed mode the driver must, while stationary, toggle a special top speed key to the left of the driver's seat. A checklist then establishes whether the car and its driver are ready to attempt to reach 407 km/h (253 mph). If so, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers shut, and normal 12.5 cm (4.9 in) ground clearance drops to 6.5 cm (2.6 in).

A couple of years ago I heard former Car and Driver editor Csaba Csere talk about his experience with the Veyron. He said that the car is a bit skittish in top speed mode because in that mode the active aerodynamics are optimized to reduce drag- which in turn reduces downforce and straight line stability. He also said the cars acceleration at high speed is just phenomenal. At over 160 mph all but the most exotic performance cars are using over 90% of their available horsepower just to maintain that speed. In contrast, at 160 the Veyron is using less than half of its @1000 bhp- meaning you have another 500+ horsepower in hand to acceleration.

roadburner

Well, it looks like the heat pump my parents installed back in 1986 is on its last legs. Twenty-six years is a good run so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. Anyway, we don't have access to a gas line and we don't want to fool with a propane tank, so it looks like a new HVA system will be our next purchase. My inclination is to buy a system that is only a step or two down from the top of the line with a dual stage compressor and a variable speed air handler. My wife and I decided long ago that the only way we'd ever move is if someone offered us an obscene amount of money for the farm, so we might as well buy a high quality system that will last- even if it costs as much as a dedicated track car and several sets of R-compound tires...

tjc78

Ugh, I know the feeling the HVAC in my house is aging and I can't decide whether to run it till it dies or next year blow the bank and replace it.

stickguy

I'm going with run til it dies. and I hope that is a long time from now, even though it looks ugly! though I guess you could say the same thing about me...

kyfdx

You have a big piece of property, right? Thought about a geothermal heat pump?

roadburner

Thought about a geothermal heat pump?

I've thought about it, but a couple of people I know who have them claim that they have been somewhat problematic.

isellhondas

I have never been able to get a good explanation of how, exactly a heat pump works. The were a big deal around here 20 years ago but not anymore.

[Deleted User]

You're very welcome. Glad I could help.

roadburner

I have never been able to get a good explanation of how, exactly a heat pump works.

A heat pump is essentially an A/C system that has the ability to operate in reverse. In A/C mode the compressor, evaporator coil, and condenser coil work to remove heat from the interior air and release it to the outside air. In heating mode the same components remove heat from the outside air and transfers it to the interior of the home. As ambient temps drop closer to 0F the heat pump is supplemented by electric resistance heat.

driver100

I just want to be able to cross-check the accuracy of the level sensor.

I agree, it seems a bit silly that car makers go with either a digital display or a dipstick. Would it kill them to offer both? That way you can use the method that suits you.

One thing about the digital display...I tried it today and it showed full. It works in the BMW even when you are driving. In the Audi you have to be idling and have the car on level ground. With a dipstick you have to wait until the oil settles and actually check under the hood....which a lot of people don't want to do these days.

I would agree, both methods for checking oil would be nice to have.

driver100

That said, when I took my 2008 Alpina B7 press loaner to a track event the onboard maintenance system indicated that 90 minutes of track time took 800 miles off the life of the oil.

I think you are saying, the car is pretty accurate at calculating the life of the oil. Probably even better than eyeballing the dipstick....hard to calculate that stuff from the old look-see.

Glad to know all LL-01 oil is interchangeable. I still have half a bottle of Mobil left from the 335 around, so now I can use that up if need be.

driver100

I've thought about it, but a couple of people I know who have them claim that they have been somewhat problematic.

Friends have had theirs for a long time and are going to buy another one....they love it....but they are a lot more environmentally friendly than I am.

driver100

The German engineering and build quality are very difficult for Japanese or Korean manufacturers to duplicate

Mike, you explained why you prefer a Mercedes to a BMW. I love Merceds too, and we had a 1999 and 2003 model, but then we switched, and one reason was this.

We had a neighbor across from us who lived on his own in a fairly big house, he was 76 years old.
He had a pretty Irish girlfriend who was in her early 40s. She was the life of any party.
We had a barbeque for 4 neighbors, the ones next to us and the two across the road including Peter, the 76 year old and his Irish lass.
Well, she was drinking like there was no tomorrow and then she started going on about Peters brand new Mercedes. How it was a car for an old man, and young people drive bmws. She said she told him to get a bmw and he wanted his "old man" Mecedes.

So, after all that, it was hard for me to get a Mercedes, I was about 20 years younger than Peter at the time.

Oh well, the reasons we buy what we do. I still have a soft spot in my heart for Mercedes, and I would certainly consider one.

isellhondas

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

I wish I could have known my grandfathers. They died before I ever got to meet them.

Just remember the good times you had together!

isellhondas

Why thanks! That's the best explanation I've ever been given!

So, have they fallen from grace since the 80's?

abacomike

Mike, you explained why you prefer a Mercedes...

*driver, I owned 5 BMW 5 series sedans from 2005-2008, and I loved them! The reason I left BMW had to do with their inability to correct a problem I had with 2 identical 535i's so I could feel safe driving them. It was a matter of safety and trust!

Now you tell me you stopped buying Mercedes Benz automobiles because some drunk woman said Mercedes is for old people! Good grief, driver, I have more respect for you than to believe you stayed away from Mercedes for that reason. My rationale was safety and lack of trust in a manufacturer who could not repair two brand new 535i's. Your rationale has to do with the blabberings of an intoxicated woman.

Something just doesn't make sense here *driver!

houdini1

Sorry for your loss. Just keep your Grand Dad in your heart. He has always been there so it won't be hard to do. Make him proud.

driver100

Your rationale has to do with the blabberings of an intoxicated woman.

You are too smart. The real reason was because we wanted AWD with manual transmissions, and, Mercedes didn't off er that, at least not in Canada. The first to offer it was Audi, but then we looked at BMWs in 2008 and the salesman said you could now get AWD and manual on a bmw.

At the time, I don't even think Mercedes offered manuals in a C Class. I think they do now with the Sport model. But manuals are becoming less important as fewer people want them, and in a Mercedes it is almost pointless as that is not what most of their customers want.

The story of the Irish lady does stay in my mind though, she was hilarious as she kept telling her boyfriend he had bought an old man's car!

abacomike

...because Mercedes didn't offer manuals...

I don't know about your Mercedes cars back in the 90's or early 2000's, but every Mercedes I've ever owned (1987, 1991, 1995, 2008, etc.) came with LOTS OF MANUALS. They came with a maintenance manual, warranty manual, owner's manual, audio manual, command manual, etc.

Are you sure you are all right *driver? I can't make much sense of your posts today! Have you been at your neighbor's house today drinking martini's?